"No charge" service calls ... to tip or not to tip?

Seems the decent thing to do, if it doesn't get someone in trouble. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a free service call, but if the well guy drove some distance to get there, do we offer a $20, or what? Yea, nay, or wrong $$ amount?

Seems to me that a "no charge" service call should be just that... A tip, even though its voluntary, is still a charge.

My thoughts on this issue:
1) Those no charge calls are designed to play the statistics. They hope to find something wrong that they can make money on fixing. Its a gamble but I think they figure if they visit x number of places free, they'll get a hit that requires them to do something that makes the profit. Pure and simple, the "no charge service call" is a way into your pocket book that doesn't always work.

2) For those honest service folks who make these free inspections, a better way to say thanks is to give them your customer loyalty and spread the word to your friends and family.

In addition to the work that my son Jamie does, he often gets tips.
It happens.
Some of that may be that they are happy with the work.

I find that when I tip, I get better service at places I deal with. When I go out dancing, they take care of me very well. It comes back to you. I always tip for water.
When I was doing a lot of bath remodel work, complete start to finish, there were things the customers got that weren't on the bid. If things went smooth, they got it. That was my "tip" in reverse.

In addition to the work that my son Jamie does, he often gets tips.
It happens.
Some of that may be that they are happy with the work.

I find that when I tip, I get better service at places I deal with. When I go out dancing, they take care of me very well. It comes back to you. I always tip for water.
When I was doing a lot of bath remodel work, complete start to finish, there were things the customers got that weren't on the bid. If things went smooth, they got it. That was my "tip" in reverse.

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That is nice.

When I went to Vegas drinks were free.

I would always tip and they took good care of me, I always had a drink while they pass up others that did not tip.